Piezo splitter/di question

[Soulforged]

Hi, sorry if this has been asked before, but i've waded through a lot of threads but i'm still a little confused.

I'm looking to start running my piezo into a pa, (can't afford an acoustic amp, a Mesa mk v comes first) but, i'm unsure as to how i actually do this, and what gear i need.

is it something like this....


................................................................................................| ---> PA/acoustuc amp for piezo
guitar - stereo cable -> splitter or di box (which one, or is it both?)--->|
................................................................................................|
................................................................................................|---> rig/amp for mags

i'm almost sure that's right. my only real question is what splitter or di box to get. i've heard things about the eb splitter box, but i understand that's no longer available, and then another replacement box from Dubaldo music, but i'm guessing this wont work seeing as i'm in the uk, and it would cost too much to ship. So anyone have suggestion as to what might be the best solution? cheers.

 

[QuietSpike]

I use an LR Baggs DI box. Very affordable and sounds great. I tried fishman stuff, but expensive and didn't sound as natural as the LR. I have seen some run into a DI box, then into the fishman aura, then to the PA, but I have not tried this personally.

I either run (depending on venue) through my GCX to the DI to the PA, or from the DI to my mark V. The signal path is a little more in depth than that, but you get the idea. Going through the mark v is not ideal, but you still get a fairly natural (as natural as you're going to get with a piezo and an amp) acoustic sound.

 

[Wahoonc]

You can also use a stereo cable that is already split and you don't need a box.

New Rapco 20' Stereo Guitar or Insert Cable w Right Angle Ycbl 2 NNP 20 N221 | eBay

 

[Lou]

I have used a variety of methods over the years. Stereo to y cable as mentioned above, Ernie ball splitter box (out of production), and my favorite way: Stereo A/B/Y footswitch made by startouch pedals. Using this box, the switch stays in the both position and you use the footswitch to toggle between piezo/mags. Probably the most expensive route, but easier as your foot does all the work so you don't have to fumble for the switch while playing which is not always convenient. Pete dubaldo also made splitter boxes a while back. Not sure if he is still doing so.

 

[QuietSpike]

You can also use a stereo cable that is already split and you don't need a box.

New Rapco 20' Stereo Guitar or Insert Cable w Right Angle Ycbl 2 NNP 20 N221 | eBay

My setup is with a split, and you're correct-- you don't "need" a DI box, but it cleans up the sound so well and adds depth & warmth that I would consider it a must. My opinion...

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I run a stereo cable to a splitter box to a Fishman Aura DI. We do still make the splitter boxes in-house in multiple input/output configurations and offer them in both black & aluminum

 

[QuietSpike]

I run a stereo cable to a splitter box to a Fishman Aura DI. We do still make the splitter boxes in-house in multiple input/output configurations and offer them in both black & aluminum

Pete- you have pics? Price? Thx

 

[bsteff666]

The splitter box is very easy to build if you have basic soldering skills.

Let me know if you need info...I can walk you through it...

That is if you have any difficulty purchasing one like I did...

 

[Wahoonc]

My setup is with a split, and you're correct-- you don't "need" a DI box, but it cleans up the sound so well and adds depth & warmth that I would consider it a must. My opinion...

I might try one. I think I saw some recommendations on another thread.

How does it clean the signal? I've heard lots of complaints about piezos picking up extra noise, but have never really used them enough to have to worry about it. Was planning to do some lab experiments when my GC arrives, so you might be preventing some undue headaches in advance.

 

[QuietSpike]

I might try one. I think I saw some recommendations on another thread.

How does it clean the signal? I've heard lots of complaints about piezos picking up extra noise, but have never really used them enough to have to worry about it. Was planning to do some lab experiments when my GC arrives, so you might be preventing some undue headaches in advance.

"How" does it clean up the signal?? I don't know exactly... Smoke and mirrors!?

The LR Baggs DI box (along with most other DI boxes like the Aura) has eq settings that are far more in depth than just the controls on the back of the guitar. This makes the sound more tweakable, and thus more natural sounding.

Personally, I would like to try a combo of the LR Baggs box with the Aura after it--- the aura has really cool emulators (like nylon strings) that I would love to be able to use. I want to see if that gets rid of the hollow sound I had when I first tried it. I know lots of people that have had great success with just the Aura, but I didn't.

You in DC?

 

[Wahoonc]

Yeah, man. Our fair nation's capital. You gig around here or an amateur like me.

 

[QuietSpike]

Yeah, man. Our fair nation's capital. You gig around here or an amateur like me.

Not much- mostly gig out of town. Also do recording here and out of town... More of an accompanist/session player. As I'm sure you know, the music scene here is lacking, to say the least.

 

[Mikey]

Some time ago I posted this thread here:
http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/57132-splitter-switcher-box-modified.html

I took a Electro Harmonix Switchblade and turned it into a Splitter/Switcher by simply installing a fourth jack to grab the piezo signal from one of the inputs. That works because the jacks in this thing are already stereo or TRS-jacks. But you should use a DI with a ground lift after the splitter to avoid a ground loop.
If you need more information, feel free to ask. I use a Fishman aura DI.


Cheers,
Mikey

 

[Firesource]

The man himself uses the Fishman Aura pedal and a J48 DI:

 

[Soulforged]

thanks for the replies. so stereo cable into splitter into DI box into PA.

i like the idea of the fishman aura, but it is really expensive. am i right in thinking that it has a built in DI section, so could you just use a splitter into the fishman then to the pa? so why would JP have the radial j48 too?

think what i'll do for now, is get a splitter, (would love to make one, i can solder ok, just getting parts like the housing for it) just which is the best one? and a DI. the radial j48 seems to be the most economical of the ones suggested so far, didn't think they were so much, its just a DI box....

so, if there are any suggestion as to which are best, or any instructions on making a splitter, i'd be grateful.

 

[Mikey]

There are two versions of the Aura pedal. The first is the aura sixteen, which just contains the imaging functionality, and the second one ist the Aura spectrum DI, which is also a DI-Box. In the video of JP's rig it seems that he uses the Aura sixteen, so he needs a separate DI box.

 

[Soulforged]

Ahhh that's explains that one then. Wonder if there's a reason why he went the separate route and not just use the spectrum version, saves having an extra DI box.

 

[Soulforged]

I just read this, assuming it's petruccis guitar tech:-

Let me clarify... The 'amp Switcher' you see in the videos is actually an A/B box. It allows me to switch between two guitars(6 string to 7 string/alt. tuning/ etc.)
The split between Magnetic and Piezo pickups happens at the box. The A/B box takes the 'stereo' cable and makes it into two 'mono' cables. One for Magnetic and one for Piezo. In other words, the A/B box is acting as a 'Y' cable. John uses the onboard toggle switch on the guitar to choose which pickup system he wants to use either separately or combined.
Let me know if this helps you out.
Maddi

So is he saying that when jp flicks the switch, the signal changes and the piezo comes in and the magnetic side is muted. But how does the box know, is it a case of the other mono signal now being sent and the box then send that's one to wherever it must go and the original mono signal is the magnet pickups are just doing nothing. If that's the case, that's a much easier way of doing it than havingn to use a footswitch too, so how could I achieve this?

 

[QuietSpike]

I just read this, assuming it's petruccis guitar tech:-

Let me clarify... The 'amp Switcher' you see in the videos is actually an A/B box. It allows me to switch between two guitars(6 string to 7 string/alt. tuning/ etc.)
The split between Magnetic and Piezo pickups happens at the box. The A/B box takes the 'stereo' cable and makes it into two 'mono' cables. One for Magnetic and one for Piezo. In other words, the A/B box is acting as a 'Y' cable. John uses the onboard toggle switch on the guitar to choose which pickup system he wants to use either separately or combined.
Let me know if this helps you out.
Maddi

So is he saying that when jp flicks the switch, the signal changes and the piezo comes in and the magnetic side is muted. But how does the box know, is it a case of the other mono signal now being sent and the box then send that's one to wherever it must go and the original mono signal is the magnet pickups are just doing nothing. If that's the case, that's a much easier way of doing it than havingn to use a footswitch too, so how could I achieve this?

Yeah, this is exactly how I have mine… it is not so much that the magnetic side is "muted", it is just not active.

My peizo signal goes through a completely different routing than my magnetic signal… so all i have to do is flip the switch on the guitar, and all of the changes are made for me.

I should make a video… it may clear things up. Just need the time.

 

[Soulforged]

Yeah, this is exactly how I have mine… it is not so much that the magnetic side is "muted", it is just not active.

My peizo signal goes through a completely different routing than my magnetic signal… so all i have to do is flip the switch on the guitar, and all of the changes are made for me.

I should make a video… it may clear things up. Just need the time.

Does seem like the easiest option once it's set up correctly. It's just the initial setup I guess. Do you need different or extra gear for this iption to work then?